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“Turning” PAM’s Chestnut Tree into Art

December 16, 2017

This post contributed by Tianna Lewis.

The Chestnut Tree, standing in the Portland Art Museum’s Courtyard, 2015

Two winters ago, the Portland Art Museum’s landscape changed drastically when a wind storm destabilized a 100 year old chestnut tree, and arborists determined that it had to be torn down. Many people in the community were sad to see it go. Some collected leaves and branches, others held small ceremonies to say goodbye.

The Chestnut Tree, during the construction of the Belluschi Building, 1932

Fortunately, the tree’s legacy lives on in the hands of local artists. Members of the Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild decided to turn the remaining wood and transform it into art. RSG artist Max McBurnett has been instrumental in this project, and has generously donated all of the pieces he’s made from the tree to benefit the Portland Art Museum. These pieces are now on view in the gallery, and available for the holidays.

Chestnut Tree Ornament, generously carved and donated by artist Max McBurnett
Landscape Beneath the Bark, Max McBurnett
Architectural Box,  Owen Lowe
Narrow Tall Hollow Vessel, Max McBurnett
Wide Hollow Vessel, Max McBurnett
Last Piece Standing, Max McBurnett

Click here to see more works by Max McBurnett

« Out of the Vault: Prints from the RSG Archive
Winter Wonderlands Part I »

Gallery Hours

Tuesdays - Saturdays, 11am-5pm

Location

1237 SW 10th Ave. at Jefferson (map)

Contact

rentalsales@pam.org | 503-224-0674

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The Rental Sales Gallery, Portland Art Museum recognizes and honors the Indigenous peoples of this region on whose ancestral lands the museum now stands.

These include the Willamette Tumwater, Clackamas, Kathlemet, Molalla, Multnomah and Watlala Chinook Peoples and the Tualatin Kalapuya who today are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and many other Native communities who made their homes along the Columbia River.

We also want to recognize that Portland today is a community of many diverse Native peoples who continue to live and work here. We respectfully acknowledge and honor all Indigenous communities - past, present, future - and are grateful for their ongoing and vibrant presence.

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